Brian Bowman, Reid Erekson, Stephen Larew, Will McGrath, Home Kinection

Summary This system is designed as a novel interface to a more standard home automation system. To achieve that goal, the system needs to ensure that the interface is fluid, while maintaining the benefits of normal home automation systems. The system should also be compatible with as many home typical targets of home automation technology as possible. Additionally, the cost of the automation modules should fall close to the price of existing modules.

PSSCs 1.An ability to control AC lights/appliances. 2.An ability to control IR-based devices (TV, etc.). 3.An ability to control a motorized shade (up/down). 4.An ability to control a computer (via a "virtual touchscreen ") using gestures and voice commands. 5. An ability to distinctly interpret the gestures and voice commands required for all control functions of the system.

Block Diagram

Block Diagram (continued)

Major Constraints Cost – Existing home automation is fairly pricey, but lower is better Compatibility – Interface with a wide range of A/V equipment, AC loads, shades and computers Latency – Gesture commands for HID should have as little lag as possible

Computation Requirements Base Station – Identifying user – Gesture Recognition – Voice Recognition Module Boxes – Recording and playback of IR commands – Handling commands and output

Interface Requirements Base Station – Communicate with Kinect (USB) – Send commands to Modules (Serial to Daughter Board, ZigBee to Module Boxes) Module Boxes – Each interface box must communicate with a different peripheral A.C. control circuitry IR send and receive CCI for blinds USB for HID

On-Chip Peripherals Base Station (Mini ITX Mother board and daughter board) – USB Connect to Kinect – Serial Serial to connect to daughter board and then to wireless module Module Boxes – All varieties require 1 SPI for wireless and 3 PWM for feedback LED. – Shade module requires only 2 additional digital I/O (if Lutron CCI used) – Dimmer: 1 PWM, 1 A/D (manual control), 1 I/O(on /off) – IR: >1 PWM (multiple IR outputs), 1 I/O (record Command) – HID: 1 UART (serial to USB interface chip)

Off-Chip Peripherals Base Station – Kinect – Wireless Module Module Boxes – AC dimmer circuitry SCR Zero point detector – IR interface IR LED IR 40kHz receiver – Wireless modules – DC Relay for shade – USB interface IC

Power Constraints Both the base station and all modules except the HID are powered by A.C. The HID is powered by D.C. from a USB port The module boxes should not require active cooling The HID cannot exceed the 1A provided by USB

Packaging Constraints Module boxes should be unobtrusive Base station should not be excessively large Base station packaging needs to contain a mini ITX Motherboard Module box packaging should not interfere with wireless communications

Cost Constraints Module boxes should not be excessively expensive (Insteon is $30 per box, Lutron is $50 per dimmer) Base station is not strictly constrained due to the large cost of other home automation hardware (>>$1000 for Lutron whole home control)

Component Selection Microcontroller – Needs 4+ PWM outputs – Needs SPI and SCI – USB a plus Wireless Module – Supports one-to-many network structures – Range must cover a reasonably sized room (~30’)

Selected Wireless Modules MRF24J40MA – Supports the Zigbee protocol – SPI interface – Fairly inexpensive ($9)

Selected Microcontrollers PIC18F27J53-I/SO – 8 bit with 10 PWM, 2 SCI, 2 SPI – USB support ZigBit 2.4GHz Module with Dual Chip Antenna – 8 bit with 8 PWM, UART, SPI – Built in Wireless module and antenna that supports the Zigbee protocol – Integrated solution – $30 per module

Questions?